Nov. 27, 2016
Held

Referendum

Results

Provisions

Do you support the popular initiative “For an orderly withdrawal from the nuclear energy program (Nuclear Withdrawal Initiative)?”

Yes 1,098,464

45.80

No1,301,520

54.20

More Info:

Swiss Confederation: Referendum, 27 November 2016

At stake in this election:

This referendum includes 1 provision brought about by popular initiative.

Description of government structure:

Chief of State: President Johann SCHNEIER-AMMANN (since 1 January 2016)[1]

Head of Government: President Johann SCHNEIER-AMMANN (since 1 January 2016)

Assembly: Switzerland has a bicameral Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung/Assemblee Federale/Assemblea Federale) consisting of the Council of States (Standerat/Conseil des Etats/Consiglio degli Stati) with 46 seats and the National Council (Nationalrat/Conseil National/Consiglio Nazionale) with 200 seats.

Electoral requirements:

Switzerland has two types of referendums, optional and mandatory. Optional referendums only require a simple majority of valid votes cast, while mandatory referendums require a double majority in valid votes cast and the majority of cantons.

About the referendum:

The Federal Council has proposed a gradual withdrawal from the country’s nuclear energy program in which existing nuclear power stations, once decommissioned, will not be replaced by new ones.

This initiative seeks to halt the program earlier, proposing to close three reactors in 2017, one in 2024, and the final reactor in 2029.

The initiative also demands that the federal government direct its energy policy toward less consumption, more energy efficiency, and renewable energy sources.

Main provisions in the referendum:

Popular initiative: “For an orderly withdrawal from the nuclear energy program (Nuclear Withdrawal Initiative)”

Do you support the popular initiative “For an orderly withdrawal from the nuclear energy program (Nuclear Withdrawal Initiative)?”

[1] The position of President of the Swiss Confederation rotates on a yearly basis among the 7 federal councilors. Johann SCHNEIER-AMMANN, listed above, is the current president of the Swiss Confederation for 2016.

[2] There are 7 women serving in the Council of States (15.22%) and 63 in the National Council (32%).